Leinster v Wasps Match thread Friday 12 October 7.45pm

The Lost Sheep · 12-10-2018 12:18pm #1

Leinster Rugby
Rob Kearney, Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton, Luke McGrath, Cian Healy, Seán Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Devin Toner, James Ryan, Dan Leavy, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan
Replacements: James Tracy, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Scott Fardy, Seán O’Brien, Nick McCarthy, Ross Byrne, Joe Tomane

Wasps
Willie Le Roux, Josh Bassett, Juan de Jongh, Michael Le Bourgeois, Elliot Daly, Lima Sopoaga, Joe Simpson
Zurabi Zhvania, Tommy Taylor, Kieran Brookes, Will Rowlands, James Gaskell, Brad Shields, Thomas Young, Nizaam Carr
Replacements: Tom Cruse, Ben Harris, Will Stuart, Kearnan Myall, Ashley Johnson, Craig Hampson, Billy Searle, Rob Miller

arsebiscuits1 · 12-10-2018 12:26pm

Even with the weather I can see this being a pretty comfortable bonus point win.

Felipe made reference to Wasps wanting to bounce back after last week.

But Leinster must be acutely aware that the last time Wasps came to the RDS, it was one of the worst performances that they have put out on that soil. Wrongs will want to be righted.

34-15

prawnsambo · 12-10-2018 12:34pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Even with the weather I can see this being a pretty comfortable bonus point win.

Felipe made reference to Wasps wanting to bounce back after last week.

But Leinster must be acutely aware that the last time Wasps came to the RDS, it was one of the worst performances that they have put out on that soil. Wrongs will want to be righted.

34-15

The weather looks fine actually. 15kph wind and no rain from about 5pm.

thebaz · 12-10-2018 12:38pm

I wonder is SOB surprised to be on the bench ??

would have liked to see him at 8 - and leavy at 6 at Van derflier at 7.

The Lost Sheep · 12-10-2018 12:43pm

thebaz wrote: »

I wonder is SOB surprised to be on the bench??

would have liked to see him at 8 - and leavy at 6 at Van derflier at 7.

Is it a surprise? He was rusty enough last weekend and probably better for him to go from the bench.

Former Former · 12-10-2018 12:48pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

But Leinster must be acutely aware that the last time Wasps came to the RDS, it was one of the worst performances that they have put out on that soil. Wrongs will want to be righted.

Somewhat incredibly, that game was only three years ago, but only two of the starting Leinster XV will start tomorrow's game (Sexton and Toner).

Buer · 12-10-2018 12:53pm

thebaz wrote: »

would have liked to see him at 8 - and leavy at 6 at Van derflier at 7.

Not directing this at you specifically thebaz but I don't get the relatively common desire/excitement to see the above back row.

Stheno · 12-10-2018 12:55pm

What tv channel is this on?

prawnsambo · 12-10-2018 12:56pm

Stheno wrote: »

What tv channel is this on?

BT Sport 2, I think. (not sure if it's 1 or 2)

The Lost Sheep · 12-10-2018 12:57pm

Stheno wrote: »

What tv channel is this on?

BT.

Stheno · 12-10-2018 12:58pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

BT.

Ffs

The Lost Sheep · 12-10-2018 12:59pm

Stheno wrote: »

Ffs

All games are on BT with a game per round on channel 4.

The Pheasant2 · 12-10-2018 1:02pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Is it a surprise? He was rusty enough last weekend and probably better for him to go from the bench.

Knock on at the base aside I didn't think he was as rusty as people have been making out - thought he put in a decent shift, 16 tackles 0 missed.

That said, I don't really like seeing him at 8, definitely his weakest position in the backrow.

[Deleted User] · 12-10-2018 1:02pm

Reckon we'll open up a two score lead by half time. If Wasps really come out hard and can get a score early doors second half it will keep the game honest to the 80 and with the bench impact Leinster will be creeping in and around the bookies spread. If Wasps are out of contention when the bench comes on it will be cricket scores.

troyzer · 12-10-2018 1:05pm

26-6

sydthebeat · 12-10-2018 1:06pm

32-13

thebaz · 12-10-2018 1:20pm

Buer wrote: »

Not directing this at you specifically thebaz but I don't get the relatively common desire/excitement to see the above back row.

for me -its cause i see the 3 as our best back rowers - all can play 7 - van derflier is the best 7 - Leavy can play either side , probably 7 is best - and SOB is probably best at 6 - I like Conan , but at the highest level not sure he can cut it as the other 3. just my thoughts.

Kevski · 12-10-2018 1:34pm

thebaz wrote: »

for me -its cause i see the 3 as our best back rowers - all can play 7 - van derflier is the best 7 - Leavy can play either side , probably 7 is best - and SOB is probably best at 6 - I like Conan , but at the highest level not sure he can cut it as the other 3. just my thoughts.

Is SOB a better 8 than Conan though? I don’t think he is.

prawnsambo · 12-10-2018 1:34pm

thebaz wrote: »

for me -its cause i see the 3 as our best back rowers - all can play 7 - van derflier is the best 7 - Leavy can play either side , probably 7 is best - and SOB is probably best at 6 - I like Conan , but at the highest level not sure he can cut it as the other 3. just my thoughts.

The funny (odd) thing about this is that Conan is an out and out 8. There may well be others coming through (Doris and Deegan) but the last out and out 8 we had was Heaslip. Who also seemed to attract questions about what he did better than other back rows.

thebaz · 12-10-2018 1:43pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

The funny (odd) thing about this is that Conan is an out and out 8. There may well be others coming through (Doris and Deegan) but the last out and out 8 we had was Heaslip. Who also seemed to attract questions about what he did better than other back rows.

Conan is an out and out 8 - dont think he is anywhere near the standard of Heasplip - particularly in big high level games - maybe he will - Deegan is meant to be good.

stephen_n · 12-10-2018 1:43pm

I really think Conan is under appreciated by a lot of Leinster fans. He’s a skillful intelligent 8 and has really improved his overall game in the last 12 months. 8 is a specialist position, playing a 6 or 7 then, because they are better 6’s or 7’s just doesn’t make sense to me.

Buer · 12-10-2018 2:30pm

stephen_n wrote: »

I really think Conan is under appreciated by a lot of Leinster fans. He’s a skillful intelligent 8 and has really improved his overall game in the last 12 months. 8 is a specialist position, playing a 6 or 7 then, because they are better 6’s or 7’s just doesn’t make sense to me.

I think Conan has come on massively in the past 12 months. Cementing his spot as Leinster's first choice 8 has seen him step up to a level that I didn't think he possessed. I think it will take a couple of years for opinions to change on him, generally, but I don't see anyone coming close to him as a No. 8 at Leinster right now.

He used get a huge amount of plaudits for performances like his 3 tries against Montpellier. Right place, right time stuff for the most part (which is a skill in itself). But performances such as the Exeter double header and the 3rd test in Australia showed a work rate and ability to mix it in the trenches that I hadn't seen before. He still lacks any threat to opposition ruck ball but that's acceptable given he is more of a tackle maker and rucker whilst others jackal; it is something he will need to develop though if he wants to be a consistent test player.

prawnsambo · 12-10-2018 2:30pm

thebaz wrote: »

Conan is an out and out 8 - dont think he is anywhere near the standard of Heasplip - particularly in big high level games - maybe he will - Deegan is meant to be good.

He's a better ball carrier than Heaslip ever was, he's a better offloader and support runner, he's quicker and more powerful. He just hasn't the wealth of experience that Heaslip was able to draw on that made him a difficult player to play against. But his ceiling hasn't been reached yet and his scrummaging work is top notch.

Peregrine · 12-10-2018 2:32pm

troyzer · 12-10-2018 2:34pm

Peregrine wrote: »

Can we just close the thread there?

'Nuff said.

Former Former · 12-10-2018 2:34pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

He's a better ball carrier than Heaslip ever was, he's a better offloader and support runner, he's quicker and more powerful. He just hasn't the wealth of experience that Heaslip was able to draw on that made him a difficult player to play against. But his ceiling hasn't been reached yet and his scrummaging work is top notch.

Heaslip was a phenomenal carrier in his younger days but adapted his game as time went on.

Conan is not and never will be in his class, not even close.

Peregrine · 12-10-2018 2:35pm

troyzer wrote: »

Can we just close the thread there?

'Nuff said.

Buer · 12-10-2018 2:36pm

stephen_n wrote: »

I really think Conan is under appreciated by a lot of Leinster fans. He’s a skillful intelligent 8 and has really improved his overall game in the last 12 months. 8 is a specialist position, playing a 6 or 7 then, because they are better 6’s or 7’s just doesn’t make sense to me.

Agreed. Yes, the lines between the back row positions have been blurred more and more in recent years. But the No. 8 still has a place in the game. The ability to control and dictate from the base of the scrum is still an important ability.

We don't have another back row player who can do it to that level. Small things like the VDF try against the Dragons (an 8/7 move off the base) or there was a scrum against the Scarlets in the Pro14 final where he picked and exploded off the base to gain about 10-15m which set in motion the series of phases leading to our first try. It gives another dimension to Leinster's game that allows them keep the opposition guessing and makes space for others even if we don't use him.

thebaz · 12-10-2018 2:39pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

He's a better ball carrier than Heaslip ever was, he's a better offloader and support runner, he's quicker and more powerful. He just hasn't the wealth of experience that Heaslip was able to draw on that made him a difficult player to play against. But his ceiling hasn't been reached yet and his scrummaging work is top notch.

I would disagree , dont think Conan is as good an all round 8 as Healip - yet - particulrly in big games - many people didnt rate heaslip , but his record in big games was outstanding . Hopefully Conan fulfills his undoubted talent , and becoms as valuable player as Jamie.

Buer · 12-10-2018 2:39pm

prawnsambo wrote: »

He's a better ball carrier than Heaslip ever was, he's a better offloader and support runner, he's quicker and more powerful. He just hasn't the wealth of experience that Heaslip was able to draw on that made him a difficult player to play against. But his ceiling hasn't been reached yet and his scrummaging work is top notch.

I think you are underestimating Heaslip here by an incredible amount and I say that after praising Conan in other posts.

errlloyd · 12-10-2018 2:39pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

But Leinster must be acutely aware that the last time Wasps came to the RDS, it was one of the worst performances that they have put out on that soil. Wrongs will want to be righted.

34-15

Ah here, last time Wasps came to Dublin we unceremoniously dumped them out of the cup. Spilly Le Roux did his bit, but mr in vogue Danny Cipriani was ruined that day. It's history, tonight is business.

Leinster v Wasps Match thread Friday 12 October 7.45pm

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